Re: MF135
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Posted by Dan on July 30, 1998 at 15:13:04:
In Reply to: MF135 posted by Monty on July 29, 1998 at 16:49:01:
: Whats the value of a MF135 diesel. Tractor is rebuilt completely from head to toe. Were there any bad points to this model tractor. Is a 2000 Ford a better tractor?
In the early 70's, dad bought a used MF 135 diesel, and my uncle bought a new Ford 2000 gasoline. I spent more hours on each that I care to remember.
Although I don't know the exact horsepower of either, the MF seemed to be slightly more powerful. In using both in haying, we always used the MF on the baler because it handled it better. The ford was slightly bigger physically (it may have just had bigger tires) but the MF seemed to be heavier. The MF was slightly lower to the ground and was very stable on steep hillsides. (We had calcium chloride in the rear tires on both tractors)
The Ford was more comfortable to operate. The power steering was slightly better and you had a little more space around the the seat - you didn't feel as crowded. We replaced the MF seat with a Ford seat - the same as what was on the Ford 2000. The angle of the clutch and brake pedels on the Ford were more convenient than that of the MF.
I am still impressed by the Perkins diesel in the MF. It always started easy, Even though it didn't have glow plugs, it would crank up in below freezing weather without any trouble. We never used ether.
I've noticed several references to the multi-power transmission in these postings. When brushhogging on steep terrain, I would probably shift the multi-power in and out hundreds of times a day, and never had any problems with it. The multi-power transmission was a nice feature that I missed on the Ford.
We worked both tractors pretty hard for a five year period until the cheap labor pool evaporated (I left for college), We had no mechanical problems with either. Having extensive experience with both, it is difficult to pick which is better. If I had to pick, I would take the MF
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